Leadership
and Advocacy
"I
hope PLAN can be effective in making changes which will improve
the lives of people with disabilities"
Lifetime
Member
What
This Element Means
PLAN
is a vehicle for advocacy. We are involved in many levels of advocacy
on a daily basis. For example, network members are supported to express
concerns they may have regarding an individual's service. As well,
trust companies and government ministries are called to sort out funding
and briefs are made for legislative and policy reform.
PLAN
represents the family voice and is a recognized leader in policy and
regulatory reform related to adult guardianship, individualized funding
and tax reform. Safeguarding our ability to independently advocate
is the primary reason PLAN does not rely on direct government funding
for its on-going operations.
Our
social audit explored PLAN's involvement in policy development and
regulatory reform and individual and family advocacy.
The
Findings
1.
Awareness of PLAN's involvement with policy development and regulatory
reform
75% of lifetime members are aware of PLAN's activities in these areas
70% of facilitators are aware of PLAN's activities in these areas.
2.
Individual and family advocacy
93% of families found PLAN's advocacy assistance on behalf of their
relative valuable
41% of facilitators contacted PLAN for advocacy information
Of those who contacted PLAN,100% of facilitators were satisfied with
PLAN's response to their requests
98% of families want PLAN to continue to advocate for improved services.
3.
Most frequently sited areas of policy development and regulatory reform
that lifetime members feel PLAN should advocate for
44% tax reform
39% work to minimize government cutbacks/increase services and benefits
37% trust reform
29% individualized funding
22% recognition, achievements and respect for people with disabilities.
Note:
Multiple responses were allowed for this question.
Analysis
Clearly
PLAN's advocacy activities are valued by families. They also recognize
there is a great deal more work to be done. Ninety eight percent want
PLAN to continue to advocate for improved services on behalf of their
relative. Members of the senior staff have frequently been involved
in supporting an individual's advocacy. As PLAN grows, it may want
to consider how to respond to increased advocacy requests.
A
higher profile of PLAN's successful history of involvement in policy
and regulatory reform would be useful to enhance lifetime member and
facilitator understanding of the many levels of advocacy required
to secure good lives for people with disabilities and their families.
Targets
for 2004
- 80%
of families and facilitators will be aware of PLAN's policy and
regulatory reform work
- Track
number of individual advocacy responses to consider need for additional
training and/or personnel.
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